Drifting is one of the most technical and exhilarating motorsports, requiring precise control, weight transfer mastery, and a well-set-up car. Whether you’re a beginner learning how to break traction or an experienced driver refining your technique, understanding the fundamentals of drifting is essential.
This ultimate guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to drift a car, from driving techniques to car setup and physics. By the time you're done reading, you’ll have the knowledge to start drifting confidently and progress to expert-level skills.
What is Drifting?
Drifting is the controlled loss of traction in the rear wheels while maintaining forward momentum and steering into the slide. Unlike traditional racing, where grip is maximized, drifting manipulates grip and slip angles to control the car in an oversteer state.
✔ Key Characteristics of a Drift:
- Rear wheels lose traction intentionally
- Driver countersteers to maintain control
- Continuous adjustment of throttle, steering, and braking
- Drift angle is maintained or increased through turns
Drifting is not just about going sideways—it’s about control, precision, and car balance.
How to Drift a Car – Step-by-Step Guide
1. Choose the Right Car for Drifting
Not every car is ideal for drifting. A good drift car should have:
✔ Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) – Essential for breaking traction in the rear.
✔ Manual Transmission (Preferred) – Allows for clutch-kick techniques.
✔ Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) – Ensures both rear wheels spin together for controlled slides.
✔ Balanced Chassis & Steering Angle – Improves stability and drift transitions.
💡 Popular Drift Cars for Beginners:
- BMW E36 / E46 – Great balance, strong aftermarket support.
- Nissan 350Z / 370Z – Excellent weight distribution, plenty of torque.
- Mazda Miata – Lightweight, easy to slide with momentum-based drifting.
- Ford Mustang SN95 / S197 – High torque, V8 power.
- Nissan 240SX (S13/S14) – Legendary drift chassis, great for modifications.
2. Learn the Basic Drift Techniques
There are multiple ways to initiate a drift, each suited to different car setups and driving styles.
📌 Clutch Kick (Best for low-power cars)
- While approaching a turn, press the clutch.
- Rev the engine and release the clutch quickly.
- This causes a sudden surge of power, breaking traction in the rear.
📌 Handbrake (E-Brake) Drift (Best for beginners & tight corners)
- Enter a corner at moderate speed.
- Pull the handbrake briefly while steering into the turn.
- As the rear slides, apply throttle and countersteer to maintain the drift.
📌 Feint Drift (Scandinavian Flick) (Best for momentum-based cars like Miatas & AE86s)
- Turn slightly away from the corner before quickly flicking the car into the turn.
- This shifts weight and helps break traction without relying on power.
📌 Power Over (Throttle Drift) (Best for high-torque cars like Mustangs & Corvettes)
- Simply apply throttle aggressively in a turn, forcing the rear wheels to break traction.
- Requires precise throttle control to maintain the drift without spinning out.
📌 Braking Drift (Trail Braking Technique) (Best for advanced control & racing drift techniques)
- Apply brake pressure while entering a turn, shifting weight forward.
- This lightens the rear, making it easier to break traction.
- Requires excellent car control and steering precision.
3. Mastering Countersteering & Throttle Control
Once the car is sideways, you must balance the drift by controlling countersteer and throttle modulation.
✔ Countersteering:
- Turn the steering wheel into the drift to control angle.
- Too much countersteer = car straightens out.
- Too little countersteer = car spins out.
✔ Throttle Modulation:
- More throttle = car maintains or increases drift angle.
- Less throttle = car straightens or loses momentum.
- Smooth inputs are key—jerky throttle movements can cause spins.
Drift Car Setup – How to Prepare Your Car for Drifting
A well-set-up drift car is easier to control and more predictable, allowing you to focus on technique rather than fighting the car.
1. Steering Angle & Suspension Setup
- Increased steering angle kits help prevent spinouts at full lock.
- Lowered ride height reduces body roll and improves weight transfer.
- Stiff front suspension, slightly softer rear for better drift balance.
2. Differential (LSD or Welded Diff)
A Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) or welded diff is crucial for drifting. Open differentials send power to the inside wheel, making drifting inconsistent.
3. Tire Selection
- Front Tires: High-grip tires for precise steering control.
- Rear Tires: Slightly lower grip tires to break traction easily.
- Tire Pressure: Lower in the front for grip, slightly higher in the rear to reduce traction.
4. Brake Bias & Handbrake Mods
- Adjusting brake bias to the rear can help with braking drifts.
- A hydraulic handbrake improves e-brake initiations.
Common Drifting Mistakes & How to Fix Them
🚨 Oversteering into a Spinout
✅ Solution: Reduce throttle and increase countersteer slightly to regain control.
🚨 Understeering Instead of Drifting
✅ Solution: Increase entry speed and use a more aggressive initiation technique.
🚨 Not Using Enough Throttle to Maintain a Drift
✅ Solution: Apply more throttle and practice balancing it with countersteer.
🚨 Car Snaps Back to Straight Too Quickly
✅ Solution: Smooth out throttle inputs and avoid excessive countersteer correction.
Drifting Safety & Where to Practice
⚠️ Always practice in a legal, controlled environment. Drifting on public roads is illegal and dangerous.
💨 Where to Learn to Drift:
✔ Drift Schools – Professional instructors, controlled setting.
✔ Drift Tracks – Local drift events, grassroots competitions.
✔ Empty Skid Pads – Private or rented areas with plenty of space.
Never underestimate the importance of safety gear: helmet, racing gloves, and a fire extinguisher are must-haves.
Final Thoughts – The Key to Drifting Like a Pro
Learning how to drift a car requires patience, practice, and the right mindset. Mastering weight transfer, steering angle, and throttle control will help you progress from beginner slides to fully controlled, high-speed drifts.
🚀 Key Takeaways:
✔ Choose a RWD car with an LSD and manual transmission for best results.
✔ Learn basic drift initiation techniques (clutch kick, handbrake, feint drift).
✔ Master countersteering and throttle modulation for smooth drift control.
✔ Set up your car properly with coilovers, steering angle mods, and proper tire selection.
✔ Practice in a safe, legal environment before pushing your limits.
💨 Now get out there and start drifting! 💨
